Automatic station selector for radio receivers



condenser 30, on the shaft of which is mounted a. double sheave 3| comprising the sheave elements 3|a and 3|b. These sheave elements constitute the means by which the reciprocatory movement o! the plungers of the solenoids 32 and 33 may be translated into rotary movement, the core oi the plunger 32 having a flexible member 34 trained around the sheave 3|b and the core of the solenoid 32 having a flexible member 35 trained around the sheave element 3la but in the opposite direction from that in which the ilexible element 34 passes around the sheave element 3|b. The iiexible elements are terminally anchored to the sheave and when one solenoid is active, its flexible element is unwound from its sheave but the flexible element of the other sheave element is reeled thereon. When the other magnet is active, the reverse is true. Thus, by energizing one solenoid the condenser is adjusted to maximum capacity whereas by energizing the other solenoid it is adjusted to minimum capacity. But the mechanism provides for adjustment of the capacity in any amount within the range of the condenser.

To provide against sudden or intermittent movement being imparted to the rotary member of the condenser, the shaft carries a spurgear 36 meshing with the pinion 31 mounted in common with the spur gear 38, the spur gear 38 meshing with the pinion 39 on the shaftof a fan 40, the fan shaft and the shaft oi the gear and pinion 31 being mounted in an appropriate bracket 4| secured to the condenser 30.

Attached to the hub of the double or dual sheave 3| is a disk 42, this disk constituting the means by which various increments of capacity are secured. The disk is formed with series of holes 43 and 44, the holes 43 having the same angular spacing as the holes 44 and both series extending for a distance of slightly more than 180. The holes are formed near the periphery of the disk and constitute the means for the attachment of the stops 45, each of which is mounted at a selected point on the disk where the detent. 46 may engage it when the movable element of the condenser is in the proper position to give the desired capacity for a selected station; Each stop 45 is formed with a hole 41through which a screw passes and threadingly engages one of the holes 43. A similar screw is employed to engage the companion hole 44 but this screw passes through an arcuate slot 48, this slot being formed on a curve of which the center of the hole 41 is the center. The slot 48 opens at one side of the stop. Thus when the stop is mounted on the disk, it may be swung with the screw in the hole 41 as a pivot which will vary the position of that end protruding beyond the edge oi the disk circumferentially of the disk. In this way, when the movable element of the condenser is set for the exact capacity desired, the stop 45 may be brought to position where, when the angular end of the detent 46 is engaged in the crotch between the longer and shorter horns 49 and 50, the securing screws may be tightened. Thereafter, whenever the detent is brought into a position of obstruction to the longer horn, the variable element of the condenser will be stopped and the condenser thus set to the proper capacity of the selected station.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, it is shown arranged to select any one of tive stationsthat is, the range of the illustrated embodiment is five stations, which may be any five within the broadcast range by the selection of the proper holes in the series 43 and series 44 at which are mounted the stops 45. A terminal stop 45a is mounted at one end of the series o! holes, this stop being longer than the stops 43 but similarly engaged with the detent 46, not only to lock the condenser in the position of minimum capacity but to retain the detent in a different position from that it occupies when engaging the stops 45. This for a purpose hereinafter appearing. Since the stop 45a is the terminal stop, a hole for the mounting screw in the series 44 is substituted for the arcuate slot 43, since no nice adjustment of this particular stop is necessary. Concentric with the disk 42 is an arcuate rack 5| formed with a series of holes 52 loi? the sameangular spacing as the holes 43 and 44. These holes 52 `serve as the mounting means forthe stationary elements 53 of circuit closers, ofkwhich the movable element is in the`form ofapin 54 vprojecting through a swivelly mounted post 55 i0 mounted on the plate 56 which is carried by the disk 42. A spring 51 yis tensionedbetween'the inner end of the pin 54 and the remote end of the plate 56 and tends to keep the pin normally radially, so that inthe rotation of the disk, as when the movable element of the condenser is actuated, y the pin will wipe the stationary elements 53. The elements 53 are in the form of inwardly-projecting radially-arranged pins and these are' set in the various holes 5|, according to the adjustments of 30 the stops on the disk 42. This, so that when the pin L54 engages one of the elements 53when other conditions are right, will effect stop engaging movement ofthe detent.

The detent 46 is rockably mounted in a bearing 35l and is formed with an arm 56 with the extremity of which a link 51 is engaged, this link being terminally connected with the core of a double-wound solenoid consisting of the windings 56 and 53whlch-are alternately energized. Thus 40 when lthe winding 56 is energized, the core will be elevated and the detent released from an engaged stop. When the winding y59 is energized, the downward movement imparted `to the core will effect stop engaging movement of the detent.

The detent in additionr to being providedwith the arm 56 is formed with an additional pendent arm 60 which is pivotally connected, as at 6|, with the switch actuating bar 62, the latter being pref-'- erably .ot non-conducting material but slidably mounted between the spring contacts 63 mounted upon but insulated from the frame 54. The springpcontacts constitute the elements of the i circuit closer for the control oi' the radio receiver, 5 that is, for the control of the energizing current for the receiver. The switch actuating bar has a metallic terminal 64 which, in one position, of the bar, bridges the contact springs 63 and thereby closes the energizing circuit for the receiver.' 60

The switch actuating bar 62, also engages the movable element of the switch 65, opening this switch in one position buty permitting it 'to close when in the other position, the switch being of a form where it is yieldingly held in yclosed position. The switch 65 controls, in combination with other switches, hereinafter described, the circuits on the solenoids 32, 33,` 56, and 58. When the bar is moved to its extreme position in one direction, it opens the switch 65 and bridges'the contacts 63 with the metallic terminal 64. In its extreme position in the other direction, the switch 55 is closed and the metallic terminal is in a position where it does not bridge 'the contact springs 53. But the latter engage in the notches back of the disk, whenthe rotation of the'disk through the instrumentality of the dial knob will result in a wiping action on the pins that will force them iorwardlyzzand return them to their inoperative positionsfdn the disk. The pin returning plate is carried by an arm |03 plvotally mounted at |04 andrformed with a forked extension |05 which straddles the plunger |00, the forks straddling a pin` |01 inserted transversely through the plunger-|08; The plunger is yieldingly impelled forwardly by a compression spring |09, housed in a guide;v l in which the plunger is slidably mountedas well'as in a slide bearing The plunger extends from the front of the panel and when pushed' inwardly swings the pin returning plate forwardly to its position behind the disk, when the extension abuts the forward face of the bearing-tigt and it then acts as a limiting stop for the pirnreturning plate.

The time mechanism is electricallyactuated, the actuating means? being a motor ||2, preferably synchronous and provided witha pinion ||3 meshing with a Spun` gear ||4 which is mounted in common with apinion meshing with thespur gear ||5. From-the spur gear' ||5 motion is communicated to'thefspur gear H6, which drives the second spind1e^^;|,|1. The spur gear ||5 has a pinion mounted4 incommon with it by which motion is communicated to the gear ||6 and the gear ||5 andits pinion are mounted ony a sleeve ||8 which is looselymounted on a shaft H9. Keyed to the shaftf|z|9 is a gear |20 which meshes with a pinion |2|mounted on the second spindle. Thus while rotation-sto the second spindle is communicated from-theemotor ||2 through the gear train whose terminal element -is IIB, motion is communicated from the second spindle to the minute spindle |22.r through the pinion |2| and gear |20, so that angular or turning movement .is imparted to the shaft and accordingly to the pinion |23 which meshes with the gear |24 mounted on the minutespindle. The gear is formed with a hub circumferentially grooved to be engaged with vone end of a shifter lever |25, this lever being fulcrumed on the bracket |25 and having its force arm forked to engage thepins of a thimble |21 which is mounted on the'resetting shaft |28, the resetting shaft being mounted for both angular and axial movement and having a terminal finger knob |29. The thimble is impelled rearwardly in a direction away from the panel 92 by a compression spring |30, while the gear |20 is impelled forwardly or towards the panel 92 by a compression spring |3|. If the shaft |28 be moved forwardly by pressure applied on the head |29, the gear |20 will be moved rearwardly along the shaft ||9 and will thus be diengaged from the pinion |2|, so thatonly the second spindle will be left for rotationby the motor ||2. This so thatthe time mechanism or clock may be set when necessary to do so. Motion to the hour spindle |32 is communicated from the minute spindle to the pinion |33, the gear |34 pinion |35'mounted infcommon with the gear |34 and gear |33 carried by the hour spindle. The geary |34 and V,pinion |35 are mounted on a hollow spindle |31 (Figure "20) to which they are secured, as is also the pinion |38,` the latter meshing with a pinion |39 which in turn meshes with' a pinion |40, the latter being mounted on a common shaft with the spur gear |4| which'meshes with the 'gear 88.f By this arrangement, the'disk 84 is driven in timed relai tion with thetime mechanism, ywhen ythe yoke has its interlocking connection with the gear as is normallyfthe case; i l l An on-and-off switchfl42, spring impelled as indicatedat f|43,to open lposition,`is'latched in m vclosed positionby thepivotallyy mounted pawl y |44, the latter having a tail portion |45 which,

when the pawl is inswitchlatchingposition, is f in position to be engaged byatrip lug |404 mount` ed on the rear face of the gear |35. The on'-` and-oi` switch which controls the `energizingjcircuit for the actuating magnets is designed for actuation from thefront of the panel 02, so that it may be moved to closed-position when desired after having been released. f

`In the resetting operation of the time mechanism,the shaft |28is moved forwardlyby pres-r sure applied toftheturning knob |29. This rocks the shifter lever |25'a'nd moves the gear |20 back out of meshfwith the pinion` |2|.` But the shaft |28 movinglforwardly engagesits key |41 with the key-wayin the Asleeve |31. V'Then rotationof the shaft |28-fw`ill impart movement tothe hour and minute spindles independentof the time mechanism and will Valso impartv movement to i thel gear 88, so that the timed" relation establishedbetween this gear and the minute and hour spindles when` the apparatus is originally constructed will not be disturbed. Thus thetime mechanism can be set'to the proper time. f Mounted on therearofftheframe. |48 by the various elementsof the time mechanism arey carriedis a-disk |49 of insulating materiahthis which disk being-rotatablymounted on the disk: |50 in f common with aftoothed wheel |5|. This toothed wheelis formed with fifteen teeth which are successively engaged bythe crank |52formed lat the rear extremity .of the secondspindle. Eaeh revolution of the second spindletherefore, moves the toothed wheel'the; distance of 'one;tooth, so y that the wheel accomplishes one'revolutionevery fteen minutes;v `Bearing uponrthe periphery of the disk |49 .are drag arms `|53 and' |54 pivotally mounted ina bracket |55.V l Once in each revolution of the disk, these drag armsare engagedby the lug |56" carried by the disk and when so engaged function to' operate each of itsown switch, the draglarm` |54 controlling the switch or circuit close'r |51 and the drag arm A|53 'controlling the switch or circuit closer |58. vThefixed contacts of thecircuit closers |51 and |50fare connected in common kto one side of the energizing circuit. Themovable contact of -the circuit closer is-connected through the switch 65 to one terminal of yeach of the solenoids 5B and 32. The ref maining terminal of the solenoid 32 is connected in on the busbar 415 and the remaining terminal of the solenoid 59 `is connected to the contact finger 54. The movable contact ofthe circuit closer |51 is connected to one terminal of the solenoidsf and 33whose .other terminals are connected in on the busbar15.k yf'Iheon-and-off switch |42 is interposed'betweenthe busbar 14 and the opposite side of the'energizingr circuit.' kThe switches 10 are connected one each to its corresponding contactpinll;y y

In theoperatlon of the inventiomthe rotation nthe psitidnzof minimum :capacit control switches for controlling the rotary element driving means and the detent actuating means, and elements carried by said member and-y selectively adjustable in the lattertoperiodically engage andactuate said switches, the rotary ele,- ment being provided with a multiple pole switch and the detent actuating means being in] part controlled by the same, and the time mechanism having a control switch yieldingly held in closed position but tripped to open position after a specied time of movement of the time mecha- 5. Means for tuning a radio receiver to a selected frequency comprising a rotary element for effecting tuning of the receiver and carrying a disk provided with spaced stops, a pivotally mounted detent engageable with said stop to retain the rotary element in any one of several predetermined positions, a time mechanism, a mem- .ber positively driven by the time mechanism,

plurality of controls for the driving means, a

disk, a plurality of pins carried by the `disk and arranged in a circular series around its axis of y rotation, said pins being selectively adjustable in the disk to engage and operate any o f -said controls, operative connections between the disk and the time mechanism to positively drive the former in timed relation with the latter and embodying a clutch, and means for axially moving the disk to release the clutch and rotate the disk independently of the time mechanism for selectively adjusting the pins, the' clutch elementsbeing engageable to effect clutching action only in one position of the disk with respect to the time mechanism.

7. Means for tuning a radio receiver to a selected frequency comprising a rotary element for effecting tuning of the receiver, a time mechanism, driving means for the rotary element, a plurality of controls for the' driving means, a disk, a plurality of pins carried by the disk and arranged in a circular seriesaround its 'axis of rotation, said pins being selectively adjustable in the disk to engage and operate any of said controls, operative connections between the disk and the time mechanism to positively drive the former in timed relation with the latter and embodying a clutch, and means/for axially moving the disk to release the clutch and rotate the Adisk independently of the time mechanism for selectively adjusting the pins, the clutch elements being engageable, the clutch comprising 'a gear positivelyA driven by the time mechanism and a yoke fixed with respect to the disk and formed with arms arranged diametrically of the latter but of different radial extent and formed with inturned terminals entering openings in said gear spaced in correspondence to the spacing of terminals.

8. Means for tuning a radio receiver to a selected frequency comprising 4a rotary element for effecting tuning of the "eceiver, a time-mechanism, a member positi ely driven by ythe time mechanism, driving 1r ans for the-rotary element, a disk carried by the rotary element and formed with series of uniformly spaced holes therearound, stops positioned on'said disk and selectively mountable v.at any corresponding points in said seriesof holes, a detent engageable with: 5 said stops to limit the movement of the rotary element to the points -of positioning of the stops, means for releasing and engaging the detent with, said stops,` and a plurality of controls for the rotary element drivingmeans and detent releasing and yengaging `means comprising a single. member carriedby the disk and a plurality of fixed stationary members arrangedarpund the disk in accordance with the spacing of the ,stops to be engaged by the disk carried member, the member driven by the time mechanism having elements vadjustable to periodically engage and operate said controls. f

v9. Means for tuning a `radio receiver to a selected frequency comprising a rotary element for 20 eecting tuning of the receiver, a time'mechanism, a member positively driveny by the time mechanism, driving means for the rotary element,r a disk carried by the rotary element and formed with series of uniformly spaced holes there- 25 around, stops positioned on said diskl and selectively moutable atany corresponding points in said series of holes, a detent engageablewith said ystops to limit the movement of the rotary element to the points of positioning of the stops, 30`

means for releasing and engaging the detent with said stops, and a` plurality of `controls for the rotary element driving means and detent releasing and engaging means comprising a pin having a swivel mounting on said disk, a spring retaining the pin radially of the disk but permitting its movement laterally to either side of the radial y lineand a plurality of fixed stationary members arranged around the disk in accordance with the spacing of the stops to be engaged by said swivellyy mounted pin, the member driven by the time mechanism having elements adjustable to periodically engage'arid operate said controls.

10. Means fortuning a radio receiverto a se-V lected frequency comprising. rotary 'element' for 45 yeffecting tuningofthe receiver, a time mechanism, ia member positivelyf'driven by the time mechanism, driving i#means for the rotary-element, a disk carried by the rotary element and* formed with sexies of uniformly spaced holes therearound, stops'positioned on said disk and selectively mounta e at any corresponding points y in said series o les, a detent engageable with said stops to limit the movementof the rotary element to the points of positioning of the stops, means for releasing and engaging the detent with said stops and a plurality of controls forfthe rotary element driving means and detent releasing and engaging means comprising a laterally swingable member carried by said disk, a ilxed arcuate `60l rack carried at the periphery of said `disk butf concentricwith the latter and a plurality of radially arranged pins carried by said rack and spaced on the same in accordance with the spacing of the stops to be engaged by said laterally swing- 65 able member, vthe member driven by the timel mechanism having yelements adjustable to periodi-. cally engage and operatesaid controls.v

1l. Means for tuning ak radio receiver to aselectedfrequency comprising a rotary element 70 l frneans'for ,relesi said stops; g and f K. rotarytelerent n l theearduril, stops bds lo` y aid, f selectively mountable ai; anyfcorresponding vin said series of,hqlesggalgietentir elerrient kt the pints.k o'f poksitlong of the ystops rid engagingy thedte the m'emb isn; having elementsadjustableftp pridi n lly rngage' arid operate saidfcontrql QQL CARA. cARLso f LoUIs APRAT-1*. f if y 

